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Location
Lat 5° 11' 7S Long 141° 38' 21E Telefomin Airfield is located at an elevation of 5,900' to the southwest of Telefomin (Telefolmin, Telefolmin) in the interior of New Guinea. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in Telefomin District, West Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Construction
Built prewar as a single runway used by gold prospectors. In 1936, a Sikorsky Amphibian piloted by Stuart
Campbell was the first aircraft to land on the runway.
Wartime History
During 1944, U.S. Army engineers accompanied by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Squadron Leader Michael "Mick" Leahy landed in three CG-4A gliders at Telefomin Airfield. On the ground, they worked with local labor to expand the prewar runway to accommodate C-47 Dakota transports. Leahy supervised the lengthening of the runway and resurfacing.
Today
Still in use today as Telefomin Airport, a small airport used by regional flights or charter flights. Airport code: IATA: TFM. A memorial plaque at the airport was established by the Telefomin Local Government Council.
A 1936 Sikorsky Amphibian piloted by Stuart
Campbell was first aircraft to land here on a small airstrip
prepared by prospectors Joe Bourke and Bill Korn. This
party followed the route of the 1926 Karius and Champion
Government patrol overland from the Fly River. In 1944 USAAF
engineers accompanied by Squadron Leader Michael Leahy
landed by gliders and constructed a DC-3 airstrip on this
same site.
- Telefomin Local Government Council |
References
Inside the Crocodile: The Papua New Guinea Journals mentions landing at Telefomin Airport
Thanks to Richard Leahy (son of Michael "Mick" Leahy) for additional information
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Last Updated
July 19, 2024
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